Benzyl ethyl ether has a pleasant, fruity (pineapple) odor.
Colorless, oily liquid; aromatic odor. Volatile in steam; insoluble in water; miscible with alcohol, ether. Combustible.
Reported found in cocoa, American cranberry, litchi (Litchi sinensis Sonn.) and eucalyptus oil.
Organic synthesis, flavoring.
From benzyl chloride and sodium ethylate in alcoholic solution.
ChEBI: Benzyl ethyl ether is a benzyl ether.
Narcotic in high concentration. May be skin irritant.
Dry the ether with CaCl2 or NaOH, then fractionally distil it. [Letzinger & Pollart J Am Chem Soc 78 6079 1956, Beilstein 6 III 1454, 6 IV 2229.]
